Belt concentrator.



J. W. FINDER.

BELT GONGBNTRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED our. 3, 1910.

Patented June 25, 1912.

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BELT OONGBNTRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED 001'. a, 1910.

1,0305427. Patented June 25, 1912.

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JOSEPH W. FINDER, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

BELT GONGENTRATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 25, 1912.

Application filed October 3, 1910. Serial No. 584,972.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Josnrn W. PINDER, citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Belt Concentrators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in belt concentrators and particularly pertains to that class of concentrators generally known as slimers which are employed in treating slimes for the recovery of metalliferous substances.

It is the object of this invention to provide a belt slimer which can be adjusted to handle slimes of various grades and different degrees of fineness, thus adapting the machine for use under many conditions.

A further object is to provide a concentrator for collecting the fine ore particles and mineral values held in suspension in slimes, which is simple in construction and efficient in operation, and which produces a high grade of concentrates with practically no loss of values.

The invention consists of the parts and construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view. Fig. 4 is a detail of the flexible and extendible shaft. Fig. 5 is a detail of the adjustable rocking mechanism. Fig. 6 is a detail of the vibrating mechanism. Fig. 7 is a section on the line XX of Fig. 6.

In the drawings A represents a concentrating belt which passes over drums 23 mounted on the upper and lower ends, respectively, of a frame 1. The belt A also passes over convex idle rollers 5 and-6 adjustably mounted on the underside of the frame 4, and disposed at a sufficient distance apart to admit of a considerable sag in the belt A between the idlers 5-6; the belt beinginade of sufficient length to permit of this sag, the purpose of which is to retain the belt taut on the drums 2-3. The convexity of the idle rollers 5-6 tends to guide the belt true and even as it travels over the drums 23.

The portion of the belt A which forms the concentrating surface and which extends between the drums 23 above the frame 4, is prevented from sagging by reason of a table or floor 7 formed on the frame 1, and which contacts with the underside of the upper stretch of the belt A; the floor 7 supporting the belt so that itstop surface will be substantially horizontal in a lateral direction when the frame 4 is level transversely.

The drum 3 is mounted in adjustable bearings 8 which permit of the drum 3 being moved toward or from the drum 2, so as to regulate the length of the concentrating sur face of the belt, as required.

The upper end of the frame 1 is adjustably supported upon a rocking beam 9 pivoted centrally at 10, as shown in Fig. 3, by means of threaded rods 11, which extend between each end of the beam 9, and downwardly extending brackets 12 on the underside of the frame 4. The rods 11 project through and are secured to the brackets 12 and beam 9 by means of nuts 13 which are screwed on to the rods 11 on each side of the beam and brackets. Resilient washers or cushions 14 are disposed between the nuts 13 and the beam 9 and brackets 12 which act as shock absorbers to prevent jarring the frame 4 and belt A as it is rocked from side to side on the pivot 10, as later described; the resilient washer 14; forming a flexible or rockable support for the head end of the frame 4 and admits of a certain longitudinal shaking movement of the frame 1 at right angles to the rocking beam 9. Stay rods 15 extend diagonally from each end of the beam 9 to the opposite bracket 12 so as to relieve the rods 11 from lateral strains and insure the frame 4 rocking in unison with the beam 9. The height of this upper end of the frame 1 may be regulated by adjust ing the nuts 14 on the threaded rods 11 so as to lengthen or shorten the distance between the frame and the beam, and as the lower end of the frame is supported on a certain plane the longitudinal pitch of the top or concentrating surface may be thus varied. The lower end of the frame 4 rests upon rockable supports 16 disposed beneath the lower corners of the frame. These supports 16 are mounted at each end in socket bearings but may be pivoted if desired.

A downwardly extending bracket 17 on the lower end of the frame 4 forms a hook engagement with one end of a connecting rod 18 on the other end of which is formed a band for engaging an eccentric disk 19, the revolving of which will transmit a slight longitudinal reciprocal movement to the frame 4 and belt A. The disk 19 is in the form of a sleeve and is adjustably mounted upon an offset or eccentric portion of a drive shaft 20 disposed below and a little to the rear of the frame 4, insuch manner that by adjusting the disk on the shaft-2O the length of the throw of the eccentric will be regulated and thereby adjust the length of the stroke of the frame 4.

The eccentric band on the connecting rod 18 passes but partially around the eccentric disk 19 so that the disk will act to move the frame 4 in only a forward direction. An adjustable coil spring 21 is disposed between the lower end of the frame 4 and a fixed post 22, which spring opposes the action of the cam 19 and acts as a buffer on the end of the forward stroke of the frame 4 as well as to move the frame in a backward direction after being pulled forward by the cam 19. This construction insures an easy or smooth vibrating movement being given the frame 4 and belt A.

The drive shaft 20 may be rotated by any desired means, through belt pulleys 23 mounted thereon. A beveled pinion 24 on the shaft 20 meshes with a similar pinion on a shaft 25 extending longitudinally of and parallel with the frame 4. The shaft 25 carries one friction disk 26 of a variable speed friction gear, the other disk 27 of which is mounted on a short shaft 28 mounted in a bearing 29. A transverse friction pinion 30 on an adjustable vertical stem 31 is disposed between the parallel faces of the friction disks 2627 in the usual manner.

Secured to the shaft 28 is a stifi coil spring 32 which in turn is secured to one end of a flexible wire rope 33 extending parallel with the frame 4 and having its other end secured to a shaft 34 on which a worm gear 35 is mounted. The shaft 34 is supported in a bearing mounted on the frame 4 and the worm gear 35 meshes with a gear 36 on the shaft which carries the drum 2, through which the belt A is moved. The

wire rope 33 and the spring 32 form an extensible and flexible shaft for transmitting rotary motion from the shaft 25 to the drum 2; the flexible wire rope 33 admitting of a rocking movement of the frame 4 and the spring 32 admitting of the longitudinal vibrating movement of the frame 4.

The rocking movement of the frame 4 is effected from an adjustable eccentric disk 34 mounted on the outer end of the shaft 25, the disk 34 operating on a yoke 35 mounted on one end of the rocking beam 9. A coil spring 36 is disposed beneath the rocking beam 9 on the end opposite the yoke 35 for the purpose of cushioning the movement of the beam so that a gentle rocking motion will be transmitted to the upper end of the frame 4 and concentrating belt A.

The slimes are delivered to the concentrating surface of the belt A through a feed box 37 mounted on a fixed frame 38 independent of the movable frame 4; the feed box 37 being in the form of a hopper and having a series of distributing spouts 39 leading from the bottom. The spouts 39 are so arranged that their discharge ends are in alinement some distance from the upper drum 2 andv are disposed at regular intervals across the belt A and a short distance there above. A spreading board 39 is disposed between the outlets of the distributing spouts 39 and the belt A, and is attached to and movable with the frame 4. The upper surface of this board 39 is grooved in such manner that the slimes delivered thereto will flow ed the board on to the belt in straight rows, regardless of-the rocking and Vibrating movement of the frame 4. The slimes are introduced into the feed box 37 through a valved supply pipe 40.

Rigidly attached to the belt carrying frame 4 is a plate 41 having a number of funnel shaped receptacles 42 therein. Spouts or passages 43 lead from each receptacle 42 to the outer edge of the plate 41 for the delivery of clear water to the top of the belt A above the discharge openings of the slime distributing spouts 39.

A water hopper 44 is suspended above the plate 41 and is mounted on the rigid frame 38, water being supplied to this hopper through any suitable supply pipe, as at 45. The outer face of the hopper 44 is vertically grooved or channeled, as at 46, these channels terminating at their lower end directly above the centers of the receptacles 42 in the plate 41. The top edge of the water hopper 44 is notched, as at 47, in line with the grooves 46 to allow the outflow of water to the funnel-shaped receptacles 42. The water outlets 43, from the funnels 42 alternate ,with or are staggered with relation to the slime outlets 39 the purpose of which will become apparent hereinafter.

A hopper 48, constructed similar to and supported upon the water hopper 44, is suspended on the belt A at a point near where the latter passes around the drum 2. This hopper 48 is adapted to discharge a series of streams of light sprays down on to the belt as it passes around the drum 2 so as pipe 40 and water delivered to the hoppers 44 and 48 from their respective sources of supply 45 and 50, the concentrating belt A is caused to travel in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, by the rotation of the drum 2, the drum 2 being revolved through the gears 35-36 from the driving mechanism before described. .The speed of the belt travel is regulated by adjusting the position of the friction pinion 30 between the friction disks 26-27, and the pitch or incline of the belt A is adjusted as desired, by raising or lowering the upper end of the frame 4 through the threaded rods 11, as before described. The drive shaft 20 being revolved from any suitable source of power, the eccentric 19 thereon, in conjunction with the spring 21, imparts a short, quick vibrating or reciprocating motion to the frame 4 and the belt A in the direction of their length, the pivoted standards 16, spring 32 on the extendible shaft and the play of the rods 11 in their mounting, permitting the frame 4 to have this slight longitudinal movement; the resilient washers 14 compressing slightly when the frame 4 is moved at right angles to the beam 9. It will be noted that the rods 11 with the resilient washers 14 form a flexible or rockable sup port for the upper end of the frame 4. A slow lateral rocking movement is imparted to the upper end of the frame 4 through the eccentric 34 simultaneous with the vibrating movement as before described, the frame 4 with the table 7 being flexible enough to admit of a certain twisting or warping thereof in a lateral direction when the head end of the frame is rocked; the tail end obviously remaining in a substantially level position laterally by reason of being carried at its corners on the rockable supports 16. The slimes fall on the concentrating belt A in rows approximately of even distances apart; a space of uncovered belt surface remaining between the rows, and at the same time wa ter overflowing the hopper 44 is delivered through the funnels 42 to this uncovered belt surface, and slowly flows downward along the belt A. The rocking or dipping movement of the belt at the upper end causes the belt to be alternately warped from side to side throughout its length and also causes the water to gently wash upward on the rows of slimes from side to side, the movement being so easy that the minerals are not disturbed, thereby washing away the lighter substances on top and carrying them slowly toward the lower end of the belt, the heavier particles gradually set tling to the belt surface to be carried toward the upper end of the belt by the travel thereof. The belt being comparatively quiet at the lower end gives the fine heavy particles time to settle so that when the lower end is reached all the values in the slimes will have adhered to the surface of the belt so that there will be practically no loss when the tailings are discharged over the lower end of the belt. The heavier materials adhering to the belt are carried under the hopper 44 and overthe drum 2 and are washed into the box 49 by the water discharged from the hopper 48.

, One of the important features of this invention isthe thoroughness with which the minerals are cleansed, thus producing concentrates of high value which lessens the cost of smelting. In this respect this machine differs from most other slimers.

Another important feature is the various adjustments of movement which will permit of the handling of extremely fine slimes, the movements throughout being gentle, easy and without shock.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination in a concentrator having an endless belt inclined longitudinally and horizontally transversely, a flexible frame, a drum at each end of the frame around which the belt passes, rockable supports on which the frame is carried to admit of longitudinal movement thereof, and means for imparting a quick longitudinal vibratory motion of the frame and belt, of means for imparting a transverse rocking motion to the upper end of the frame and belt, twisting the frame laterally and producing a warping motion crosswise of the upper surface of the belt simultaneous with the longitudinal vibratory movement.

2. The combination in a concentrator having an endless belt inclined longitudinally and horizontal transversely, a flexible frame,

a drum at each end of the frame around which the belt passes, rockable supports on which the frame is carried to admit of longitudinal movement thereof, means for imparting a quick longitudinal vibratory motion of the frame and belt, of means for impart-ing a transverse rocking motion to the upper end of the frame and belt, twisting the frame laterally and producing a warping motion crosswise of the upper surface of the belt simultaneous with the longitudinal vibratory movement, said means including a rocking beam on which the rockable supports of the upper end of the frame are mounted, and means acting 011 said beam to impart a rocking movement thereto.

3. The combination in a concentrator having an endless belt inclined longitudinally and horizontal transversely, a flexible frame, a drum at each end of the frame around which the belt passes, rockable supports on which the frame is carried to admit of longitudinal movement thereof, means for imparting a quick longitudinal vibratory mo tion of the frame and belt, of means for imparting a transverse rocking motion to the upper end of the frame and belt, twisting the frame laterally and producing a warping motion crosswise of the upper surface of the belt simultaneous with the longitudinal vibratory movement, said means including a rocking beam on which the rockable supports of the upper end of the frame are mounted, said beam adapted to rock at right angles to said supports, means for rocking said beam, and means for cushioning the beam.

4. In a belt concentrator, the combination of a lengthwise movable frame, an endless traveling belt movable thereover, supports at the lower end of the frame, a centrally pivoted, horizontal rocking beam at the upper end of the machine, threaded vertical rods adjustably connecting the ends of said beam to the frame, means for rocking the beam to rock the frame transversely, nuts on the rods and resilient washers disposed between said nuts and the beam and frame serving as shock absorbers to preventjarring the frame and belt as it is rocked from side to side on the pivot of said beam.

5. In a belt concentrator, the combination of a lengthwise movable frame, an endless traveling belt movable thereover, supports at the lower end of the frame, a centrally pivoted, horizontal rocking beam at the upper end of the machine, threaded vertical rods adjustably connecting the ends of said beam to the frame, means for rocking the beam to rock the frame transversely, nuts on the rods and resilient washers disposed between said nuts and the beam and frame serving as shock absorbers to preventjarring the frame and belt as it is rocked from side to side on the pivot of said beam, and stay rods extending diagonally from each end of the beam to the opposite end of the frame.

6. In a concentrator the combination of an inclined flexible frame, supports on which the frame is mounted at its ends, said supports rockable in the direction of the length of the frame, means for vibrating the frame longitudinally on said supports, and a rockable member on which the supports for the upper end of the frame are mounted admitting of a transverse rocking movement being given the upper end of the frame.

7. In a concentrator the combination of an inclined flexible frame, supports on which the frame is mounted at its ends, said supports rockable in the direction of the length of the frame, means for vibrat ing the frame longitudinally on said sup ports, a rockable member on which the supports for the upper end of the frame are mounted admitting of a transverse rocking movement being given the upper end of the frame, and means for imparting said transverse rocking movement to the upper end of the frame simultaneous with the longitudinal vibratory motion thereof.

8. In a concentrator the combination of an inclined flexible frame, supports on which the frame is mounted at its ends,

lsaid supports rockable in the direction of the length of the frame. means for vibrating the frame longitudinally on said sup-- ports, a rockable member on which the supports for the upper end of the frame are mounted admitting of'a transverse rocking movement being given the upper end of the frame, means for imparting said transverse rocking movement to the upper end of the frame simultaneous with the longitudinal vibratory motion thereof, and an endless traveling belt movable lengthwise over the frame.

9. In a concentrator the combination of an inclined flexible frame, supports on which the frame is mounted at its ends, said supports rockable in the direction of the length of the frame, means for vibrating the frame longitudinally on said supports, a rockable member on which the supports for the upper end of the frame are mounted admitting of a transverse rocking movement being given the upper end of the frame, means for imparting said transverse rocking movement to the upper end of the frame simultaneous with the longitudinal vibratory motion thereof, an endless traveling belt movable lengthwise over theframe, and means carried by the frame for sup porting the upper leaf of the belt so that it will be alternately warped from side to side throughout its length by the sidewise rocking movement of the upper end of the frame.

10. In a concentrator the combination of an inclined flexible frame, supports on which the frame is mounted at its ends, said supports rockable in the direction of the length of the frame, means for vibrating the frame longitudinally on said supports, a rockable member on which the supports for the upper end of the frame are mounted admitting of a transverse rocking movement being given the upper end of the frame, means for imparting said transverse rocking movement to the upper end of the frame simultaneous with the longitudinal vibratory motion thereof, an endless traveling belt movable lengthwise over the frame, means carried by the frame for supporting the upper leaf of the belt so that it will ing movement of the upper end of the my hand in the presence of two subscribing frame, and 12163118 acting in lghle lowgr leaf Witnesses. of the belt 'er guic ing t e e t an com- T pensating for the displacement of the belt JOSEPH 5 due to the Warping of the upper leaf Witnesses:

thereof. CHARLES A. PENFIELD,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set V. E. STANFORD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, .D. G. 

